Once in a lifetime - Issei ichidai

Japanese: 一世一代 - いっせいちだい

〘Noun〙 (Both "ichise" and "ichidai" refer to a person's lifetime. They are said to be words that arose from an analogy and transformation of "ichiseichido" (a single life).) 1. Something that happens only once in one's lifetime. Something that will never happen again. A single lifetime. *Ukiyo-zoshi, Koshoku Seisui-ki (1688), vol. 2 "I thought of this successful night as something that would once in a lifetime . " *Choju Giwa (1962), by Hanada Kiyoaki, vol. 2 "I mustered all my wisdom in a lifetime." 2. When a Noh or Kabuki actor is about to retire, he or she puts on a magnificent performance with the determination that they will never perform that art again. Also, that stage. The last performance. *Kakushihon, Ukiyo-doko (1813-23), vol. 1 "Did n't Karaku do his best in a single lifetime ?"

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙 (「一世」も「一代」も人の一生をいう語。「一世一度」の類推、転化から生じた語という)① 一生のうち、ただ一度であること。またとないようなこと。一代一世。※浮世草子・好色盛衰記（1688）二「首尾する一夜を、一世(セ)一代(ダイ)の事のやうに思ひて」※鳥獣戯話（1962）〈花田清輝〉二「一世一代の智恵をしぼり」② 能・歌舞伎の役者が、引退などを前に、以後再びその芸を演じない決心で、りっぱな舞台をつとめること。また、その舞台。舞台納め。※滑稽本・浮世床（1813‐23）初「可楽(からく)は一世一代(イッセイチデヘ)をしたぢゃアねへか」

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